It's a Wrap: The Carolina Ball

So a week ago today, I attended a wonderful event, The Carolina Ball! It was a great time and I ended up running into a bunch of people I knew.

My fabbbbbulous date Hannah and I were able to go to the ball! We both wore floor length dresses, taking the night to get all dolled up! How often does that really happen!?

I got my dress from Tradesy online! I felt like I was channeling my inner Rachel from "Friends" with this 90s-loving choice. I never, ever, ever want to take this dress off. I LOVE it!

 The band, Blind Manifest, was great! They amped up the crowd, danced and interacted and really kept us going. I really enjoyed listening to them, and gave us an awesome variation of music: slow songs, fast songs, beach music, covers, everything!

The decor at the venue was minimal, but it didn't need to be very fancy. The venue, 701 Whaley, is a beautiful spot on its own and really doesn't need much to make it look good. There were simple swags throughout the main hall we were in and it looked perfect.

All in all, we had fun at the event! I hope that this continues to be an annual event and grows bigger and larger for Palmetto Health Children's Hospital! FTK!

xxKatie

The Sunnies Lineup

I don't really collect anything. I wish I did. I used to collect those state quarters, but then kinda forgot when they were only releasing 5 per year. That got old when I had to wait almost 10 years to have a complete collection. That's probably the closest I ever got to collecting anything. 

I do have a penchant for sunglasses. Back when it existed, I would CLEAN OUT the $10 rack of sunglasses at Nordstrom in the BP section. My choices have gotten a little better, and I try to take care of them better. I definitely see them investments now. I have a few I rotate through:

Ray Ban "New Wayfarer" (RB 2132)

It took me a LONG time to get used to wearing Wayfareres on my face. I thought they looked funny, but I LOVE them. They're my go-to sunglasses that will match anything. Often when people think "classic" they think of these exact sunglasses.

Costa Del Mar "Isabela" (Tortoise, Brown Glass 400 Lens)

These are my favorite of all my sunglasses. I wear them more often than any of the others because they're sporty-meets-girly-and-fashionably-large. They have been in a pair of croakies about since they day I got them too--Christmas 2011 along with my Wayferers!

Costa Del Mar "Harpoon" (Tortoise, 580 Green Glass Lens)

These glasses don't get worn too often, but I still am a huge fan! These were a gift from the folks over at Costa Del Mar and I'm always thankful every time I don these bad boys. These glasses are just B-A and I feel awesome when I wear them. I usually save these if we go out on someone's boat or if I'll be on the water. It's pretty hard to mess these up, so I know I can go in the ocean or water with them on!

(As an explanation to this photo, my friend Aly and I were "Mountain Weekend" for one of the nights of Halloween--in this picture, the sunglasses are on a set of croakies, but I'm still wearing them!)

Most recently, I've added a pair of aviators to the collection:

Ray Bay "Cockpit" (RB 3362)

Everyone says that aviators are good for any face shape, but until very recently, I had never had good luck finding a pair that was ok for me. I always felt like I looked like a lady cop in aviators! I then found the RB3362 and fell in love. There was also another pair that I liked--same no-lady-cop effect--but I ultimately decided on this pair. I am so excited to really try this out!

Are you big on sunnies? I LOVE them!!

xxKatie

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2012!

(This photo is our Christmas card picture this year! I figured you were probably wondering why it's not red and green with a Christmas tree in the background!)

Enjoy your holiday with family, friends, and loved ones! I will be thankful that we are all safe, sound, and snug together for the holiday season this year. It is certainly a time of reflection and relaxation and also important to remember the special reason for the season. 

Let your Christmas overflow with love, happiness, appreciation and a full heart today!

xxKatie

The Art of the Sock Bun

I FINALLY DID IT!

Note, not to my own hair, but I did this to my hair model Hannah's hair! I LOOOOOVE the way that it turned out!

I've been trying and trying and trying to master the sock bun. I actually saw something on Pinterest about the sock bun being created from a legitimate sock...well I'll just spoil that plot now, IT DOESN'T WORK. You need this:

Found here!

We snagged our sock bun donut at a Sally Beauty Supply store for less than $4!

In order to do a sock bun, you: 

1. Put your hair in a pony tail. Use a regular elastic to secure the pony on your head.

2. Pull the pony straight back (or up) depending on where you want your sock bun to be.

3. Take the donut and place it at the ends.

4. SLOWLY roll the ends INTO your pony, wrapping hair into the donut as you go down your hair.

5. There will be loose ends at the base, wrap those around the pony and mush them into the bun (such official terms...I know...)

6. Spray a little hair spray once you're in place and you'll have all the staying power you need!

Recommendations:

1. HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DO THIS. Your arms get tired and it would be tough to have to do it on your own.

2. Your hair will work better when it's straight--i.e. I tried it on my curly haired friend Colleen too, and it was TOO voluminous once it was in the bun. We could definitely do it, but it was easier with straight hair.

I got tons of great response when I posted this photo on Instagram, so I'd love to hear everyone's experiences doing it! Could you do it alone? Any good tips?

xxKatie

Crafternoon: No-Crimp Elastics Day 1

I'm sure y'all have seen these hair ties EVERYWHERE! I'm sure you've also seen their OUTRAGEOUS price tag. Usually a pack of 4 is more than $10! I've seen them places as expensive as $4 for ONE!?!

I. Think. That. Is. Insane.

It's a glorified hair elastic. Yes, it's pretty and colorful, but eventually will get stretched out or lost just like every other one you've ever had. My friend Hannah and I decided that we just weren't ok with buying them and wanted to do them on our own!

The follow supplies are all you need:

Elastic material, we got these packs from Michaels. Right on the shelf! Didn't have to order them from anywhere special!

This is what it looks like up close. They came in like 7 or 8 different colors, and I snagged all the ones I wanted to try!

Use a REALLY sharp scissor and a far away/distance lighter--don't use a close up one, you'll want the space between your fingers and the lighter (especially if you're wearing nail polish like I am always)!

You cut the elastic to a length you like, and then tie it. The length can be tough to decide since smaller ones will be tighter. If you have hair like me, it's insanely thick and I needed more stretch and extra "circles" to twist my hair through than most people! I found that about 7'' was pretty common. I just used the length from the tip of my middle finger to the end of my palm and used that measurement...so official!

Twist and tie until you get the shape and length tails you want! Once you have those, burn the ends to seal the elastic. (Mom, I know you're going to cringe since we were dealing with fire...) You don't have to put it in the flame, but just close enough. The elastic CAN catch fire, but it never needs to be that close.

(Nail color: Essie's "Cute as a Button") 

You can tie it this way, with the tails together by making a simple knot and it will look like this in your hair:

You can also tie it in a knot like you'd tie rope, with the tails apart:

(Nail color: Essie's "Turquoise and Caicos")

It will look more like a bow in your hair:

Also very cute!

Tomorrow's post is a special twist that you can put on these famously no-crimp hair ties! I cannot wait to show you the special change I made to make them SO CUTE! Y'all will FLIP!

xxKatie 

My Next Roadtrip: Annapolis, MD

On Wednesday, I'm headed home for a quick trip for my sister, Grace's, prom!

This was us at her junior prom last year!

I am SO excited to see her all dolled up again this year! It'll be hard to top her fabulous look last year, but her dress this year is an absolute knock-out, just like her! I don't want to spoil the surprise, but her dress is AMAZING!! 

I can't believe my baby sister is going to her FINAL prom! I remember it like this:

The Rudder babies a million years ago!

I also will be reunited with all these lovely ladies:

I can't wait to go home and see my family and sister for her special day before she graduates!! I'll be back in sunny SC before I know it, the summer is already moving too too fast!!

xxKatie

Playlist: Bowl So Hard

So I made my own adaptation of the Jay-Z and Kanye song just for the bowl game! I'm officially on my way by the time that y'all will be reading this!

Here's my Capital One Bowl Game Playlist:

(Warning: this is a pump-up playlist after all, beware of some lyrics!!)

1. My Time by Fabolous and Jeremih

2. My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean

3. Carolina by Eric Church

4. All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled 

5. On to the Next One by Jay-Z 

6. "Ball So Hard" by Jay-Z and Kanye West (that's not the real name...)

7. Bang Bang Pow Pow by T-Pain featuring Lil' Wayne

8. Dixie Lullaby by Pat Green

9. Love in a College Town by Luke Bryan

10. Good Morning by Chamillionaire 

11. Get Buck in Here by DJ Felli Fel

12. Rock Out With You Gamecock Out by Dinobrite Productions

13. You Be Killin' 'Em by Fabolous 

14. If You Ain't Here to Party by Luke Bryan

15. This is Why I'm Hot by Mims

I'm not 100% sure if you'll be able to hear the Gamecock song or not, but check out the rest of the playlist here on Spotify! (Shout out to whoever suggested I start posting my playlists!!! Kudos!)

xxKatie

Port Southern Giveaway: Winner!

Our Ultimate Prize Pack winner is:

"Kimber" from Gamecocks Down Under! GO GAMECOCKS! (Especially after all the craziness on facebook and twitter last night! Yikes!!)

The two Swag Prize Pack winners are:

"Annamarie" from Last Days as a Ms...

"Sky" from Debit Card Moratorium

If you ladies will all shoot me an email at letsbepreppy (at) gmail (dot) com, we will get you all set!!

xxKatie 

Happy Birthday Emily!

To one of my oldest and longest friends, Happy Birthday Emily!

I saw this yesterday and thought it was fate because it was the perfect birthday greeting for you:

It's been among the craziest of friendship years for us, but I know your 20th is going to be great!

Happy Birthday!!

xxKatie

P.S.: A fun giveaway is coming tomorrow! Keep your eyes out to enter!!

HAPPY 21st COLLEEN!

"Your birthday's OCTOBER 11th?!"

"Hallie, we're not like sisters, we're like TWINS!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!

I can't wait to celebrate tonight!!

One of my favorite nights with ya bitty!

From trips to the Cape, to Columbia, to Krispy Kreme, to the VC here's to your best year yet!!! I am SO EXCITED for the rest of the year and to celebrate tonight with you!!! 

Weekly Gratitude

1. I am thankful for Bodypump. I did it Sunday night and it was a great reality check into how out of shape  (my arms especially) I am. I am making a commitment into going 3 times a week to get my bootay in shape!

2. I am thankful today is my first tour! I am SO excited to get back into the swing of things! This week will be great to finally hit my stride and get into a real rhythm!

3. I am thankful to be working! I am lucky enough to have gotten a job that I am already loving here at school! The ladies I work with have really taken me under their wings and teaching me things I haven't quite learned about Columbia yet!!

4. I am thankful that my parents are coming to visit me soon for the Navy v. USC home opener game! I got a little homesick over the weekend for   a little while and I can't wait to see them!

5. I am thankful to be reunited with my fabulous roommates! It has been so much fun to see them and hang out with them. And I'm pumped we're friends with our neighbors--it's like having 5 roommates instead of 2!

6. I am thankful that it is going to stay summer here for much longer. At first I though I'd hate it being so hot here, but no, this weather rules. 

7. I am thankful I am still staying in touch with my friends from home, the summer, and even last year. Y'all have no idea how much it means to me and how grounded it keeps me. I love each and every one of you!

8. I am thankful that I have FINALLY found some decor for my room!!!!!! I have been on the lookout for something to hang on the walls and I have finally found something that I like and fits me so well! I am getting 4 11x14 posters BUT that's the only detail I am going to give y'all for now! Oh yeah, and it'll arrive with the arrival of my next paycheck! I've desperately needed something to hang to make it feel a little more like me, so this will be the perfect touch!

9. I am thankful for my calendar and agendas that were both organized yesterday!! The new calendar is hung appropriately and color coded for each event coming up!

10. I am thankful that CAROLINA FOOTBALL is right around the corner! We are 12 days away from our season opener!!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

1. I am thankful today is Saturday because thanks to Rebecca Black, we know that Sunday comes after Saturday and I get to leave on SUNDAY!

2. I am thankful that my wonderful, loving parents took me back this summer. I feel like I was so busy I hardly got to take an extra breath, but they put up with me, school, a crazy work schedule and all kinds of girl drama.

3. I am thankful that my sister and I got to spend another summer together. Everything is SO completely different than it was just a year ago and I'm glad I get to spend some extra time with her because before we know it she'll be heading off to college!

4. I am thankful that all my friends are literally going to be within a spitting distance of me in a matter of hours. I plan on seeing everyone within my first week back. Mark. My. Words. Y'all. (Read: you'll get lots of hugs and maybe tears and lots of jumping!)

5. I am thankful for the close friends I have here at home. They have filled voids, made me laugh, helped me through crazy situations this summer, and most of all, listened to me and my craziness. All of it.

6. I am thankful today is my last day of work at the Pink Crab (but I will miss it tons!). I have had the best summer ever working this year, loading up hours! I will miss this place SO MUCH and I'm not sure what I'll do without the lovely ladies that I get to share a store with. I have the world's best boss, a great staff, and fun clothes to sell to cheery people. Oh yeah, and we have a sick view. Does it get better than that?

7. I am thankful for all the packing I've been doing. In the words of my smart Daddyo, "Katie, you can't pull an all nighter Saturday and expect to drive all day Sunday." He's a very smart man.

8. I am thankful for Amazon Prime. I've been looking up textbook prices and it's consistently saving me between 9-32% on every book. And giving me free shipping. But like I tweeted, big girl textbooks mean big girl prices. YIKES! (Thanks Dad!)

9. I am thankful to be going back to a school that I love. Bring me Gourmet Shop chicken salad, sweeeeeeet tea, Bojangles, Cocky, Publix, the VC and my UA family, sweltering heat, Williams-Brice, my little pink and green room, Wal Mart, 1704, Eric San Jose, football, Rosewood Drive, and YOUR CAROLINA GAMECOCKS!

10. I am thankful for Little, my car. It got a lot of work done this week that we weren't expecting and in the words of Jessie James "is lookin' fresh and brand new" for our drive back down South. (Dearest Little, sorry you have to get covered in disgusting bugs in North Carolina. I've never really understood that phenomenon, but it happens trip in and trip out.)

xxKatie

Cape Cod Lovin'

SO officially I am in Cape Cod and LOVING it! After arriving early yesterday I am here and I can't wait! Soon this week I will be off to cheer on the Bourne Braves for the Cape Cod Baseball League games!!

We will be doing some fabulous shopping as well:

In the Pink's Cape and Islands Murfee Scarf

Vineyard Vines in Cape Cod

I can't wait to beach, ball, shop and MORE while I'm up Nawth! Ever been to Cape Cod (I'm assuming that's a "YES!" for a bunch of people so shoot me some suggestions!!!)

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

I couldn't WAIT for this week to be over because it meant I was getting closer to vacation!!

1. I am thankful for Southwest! They are getting me TO vacation!
2. I am thankful that my parents were in total support of my roadtrip take 2 this summer!
3. I am thankful to (hopefully) be escaping the hot hot hot weather of Maryland for a few days!
4. I am thankful to be a part of G4 (that's what's up!) of the Robitaille clan. Family reunion like you'd see on tv: LET'S GO.
5. I am thankful that I get to go back to school in 2 weeks!! I will be back in my happy little house, in my pink and green room (to be rearranged) with my fab roomies and new neighbors!
6. I am thankful for chilly sweatshirt weather in the summer. Perfection!

7. I am thankful for all the new music I've downloaded for my trip! Such entertainment for the flight...and my iPod vice: Fruit Ninja.
8. I am thankful for packing. Even if I'm really really really really really bad at it. #packingwoes It gets all my stuff to my vacay destination, and if I'm especially lucky, it'll be organized.
9. I am thankful for the above Disney commercial. We joke in mu family before nearly every vacation that "We're TOO excitedtasleep!" One of my favorite commercials ever!!!
10. I am thankful for Miss Colleen and Miss Tori for being my FABULOUS hosts and coming to get me at the airport! By the time everyone is reading this post I will be over Delaware-New Jersey-Somewhere flying due North and landing promptly at 10:00 am in Bahstahn!!!!!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

In my not-so-busyness of being at the beach, it seems that I'm a day behind for my weekly gratitude!

1. I am thankful that I was able to come out to the beach for 4 days! This rules!
2. I am thankful for ROCKING my summer classes and as a bit of a reward my Momma treating me to these babies that should be awaiting my arrival at home tomorrow:

3. I am thankful for Shop It To Me's reward program because I'm getting FREE SHOES! What's better than ordering free shoes? The shoes arriving of course! I'm expecting these espadrilles coming soon (and with free shipping!) from Piperlime:

4. I am thankful for the week off that my hair got as well. No straightening it, no blow drying, just salty air, sand, sun and the elusive, natural, air dry. I'm thinking about getting my hair cut soon but having this super long hair has been really fun! Tough decision...

5. I am thankful for AmazonPrime. If y'all haven't signed up for it and you're a student, YOU NEED TO. It's free and you get free shipping on so much stuff. Besides my Momma ordering those boots with my AmazonPrime account, I ordered a few DVD's with it and they were all shipped FREE! Seriously look into it. Now.

6. I am thankful for Burt's Bees Lip Balm. Big time. This stuff works real wonders. I got some of my topical face gel on the tippy top of my upper lip and this stuff has really helped to heal it! This girl is ADDICTED.

7. I am thankful for some of my new purchases that I've made recently. Recap to come soon. Summer shopaholic? Not exactly. Getting close? Maybs, but a lot of it has been FREE! I heart free stuff as much as the next college kid!

8. I am thankful that my FAHBULOUS manicure from last week has lasted ALL week long with only minor bumps and scratches to speak of. Manicure win thanks to Bella Salon in Annapolis!

9. I am thankful for the beyond perfectly perfect beach weather that I got to share with Momma (and Daddyo for a day) all this time at the beach! I'm talking warm weather, no humidity, beach breeze kind of perfectly perfect. Yeah, that JUST happened.

10. I am SO THANKFUL THAT I GET TO GO BACK TO COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1 MONTH! 1704, GAMECOCKS, VC + UA, DENSE SC AIR, SUN, FOOTBALL, FABULOUS FRIENDS I MISS SO MUCH, AND ROOMMATES, HERE I COME!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

I barely even remember this week. Flew by SO fast...I guess that's a good thing but maybe not for the summer!

1. I am thankful for my parents and how much they listen to me when I need venting time, advice or just to chat. They've been especially awesome recently.
2. I am thankful for Saturday night "New Country" on my local station. Any Annapolitans listen to 93.1? Shows how cool my summer is...blogging on Saturday nights
3. I am thankful (more like SO unbelievably, ridiculously, kiss-the-ground thankful) that my summer classes end this week! Thursday is my LAST DAY OF SCHOOL UNTIL I'M BACK AT USC! #4weeksofFreedom
4. I am thankful for a tall lady who came into the store on Sunday and mentioned CAbi clothing. Apparently the owner is rumored to be 6' tall! Tall girls gotta stick together! We gabbed about jeans, how we never hem stuff and how we're always dropping hems! She was so great. (Now all I have to do is find someone hosting a party!!)

5. I am thankful for my Jack Rogers. I just realized my Platinum pair toe part is ripping big time. Care of the above night, my Jacks were "flat-tire"-ed one night when we we all out. I had duct tape in my purse...yeah...and was able to repair them. I didn't realize though, was how stretched the toe became. If these little guys men make it through the summer I will be STUNNED. (Sorry to anyone who was sent this message--the original version--in picture message form from Sara's birthday...)
6. I am thankful for the BEST manicure I've ever had in my life that I got on Saturday. If anyone in Annapolis needs an acrylic manicure, go to Fiona at Bella Salon by the Annapolis Mall.
7. I am thankful for getting the power back in Annapolis. That was a mess!
8. I am thankful for all the quotes I find on Pinterest. The one at the top of the post is from Pinterest. It's chock-full of bit of wisdom put to wonderful typography. Very cool.
9. I am thankful for the couch in my room that serves as a wonderful place to store clothes. As my mom reads this she's going to cringe.
10. I am thankful for everything that's on it's way in the next few weeks. I think it'll be a lot more of the summer I had planned! I'm ready for freedom, ready for a break, and ready for Bethany Beach in a few days!!

xxKatie

HAPPY 1 YEAR: Aly and Aldy

Two of my BEST friends and favorite people are celebrating their first anniversary and I couldn't be more excited. I have been storing this up for some sort of honor for them for I don't know HOW long (Aly, this was more intended for the speech before the wedding, but I just can't resist. I've literally been holding onto this quote for MONTHS.)

In the words of famous guido, gorilla-juice-head, Ronnie, "Never fall in love at the Jersey Shore."

 

  Little Jersey Shore

- Watch more Funny Videos at Vodpod.

I couldn't find the REAL clip, so "Little Jersey Shore" will have to do--if you haven't seen this it is pretty funny! To catch my Ronnie quote, wait until the very end!

This one's for you Aly and Aldric--for making us ALL believe that Ronnie couldn't ever be more wrong.

I am SO proud to call y'all my friends and I look forward to making more Pretty Boy Swag videos in your honor. "Dis..right...here..." I'll let you two fill in the rest! Here's to your first year and many many more my friends! Sending y'all one HUGE hug from the third member of your relationship and you know it!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

It's been one heckova week in my life. Major up's and down, and I have a lot to be thankful for.

1. I am thankful for all of my friends. We were all reunited in a big event this week and it was great to see the high turnout. High school guys and gals I'm really proud of the class of '09, showing up in big numbers and with a lot of pride. Rally, and rally we will.

2. I am thankful for the lady at the Clinique counter at Macy's for being so efficient with helping me in my major foundation confusion. I've never been a face makeup girl, but in a pinch needed some for Monday. She was so helpful and kind and understood exactly what I was looking for. A great shopping experience indeed!

3. I am thankful for meaningful work that I enjoy. I have a great job that I love with people that rule. Does it get better than that?

4. I am thankful for a new Sally Hansen nail polis color that I bought over the weekend. It's exactly the same as OPI's Strawberry Marg for about 1/4 of the price...yes that's $1.99 a bottle!

5.  I am thankful for all of the small moments I get to spend with my parents. Just the past few nights my dad and I have watched some TV shows together and it's times like these I have to learn not to take for granted.

6. I am thankful for the Econ take home test we get tonight. I'll be able to take it at my own pace on my day off on Saturday which will be nice. In the meantime, I had another test yesterday in my second class! Eight weeks is sure to fly by at this pace...

7. I am thankful that gas at the beach was $0.20 cheaper per gallon than gas at home. This girl is ridin' dirty (any Chamillionaire fans out there? Throwback tunes party of 1.) with a full tank.

8. I am thankful that my new facecare routine is starting to show signs of changed. Sistagirl here has been super broken out (and since diagnosed with "adult acne"...gulp.) and I'm finally seeing some facial progress!

9. I am thankful to get the chance to start my new book! LOVING all the South Carolina bits!

10. I am thankful for 2 friends who have a ONE YEAR anniversary coming up SO soon! I like to think of myself as a 3rd member of that relationship. Man, this is the week of anniversaries! I LOVE it!So happy for y'all...xoxo

xxKatie